K-pop sensations Rain, Jessi to headline Borneo Sonic Music Festival 2024

KUCHING (July 31): Global K-Pop superstar Jung Ji-hoon, popularly known as Rain, is set to perform at the second edition of the Borneo Sonic Music Festival at Sarawak Stadium at Petra Jaya here, running from October 11 to 12.

This would mark the second time the South Korean songwriter and record producer will be visiting Kuching as he was invited as a special guest and to receive an award at the sixth edition of the Asean International Film Festival (Aiffa) here last August.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, today said it was important for the state to promote home-grown events, and music festivals like Borneo Sonic Music Festival have attracted much attention and positive reviews nationally.

“The Borneo Sonic Music Festival last year I would say it was a big success and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts this year again is supporting this kind of events as much as possible because we know the multiplier effects (on the economy) and apart from that, all of us need to be entertained once in a while,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference at his office at Baitulmakmur II building at Petra Jaya here.

Another hugely popular K-pop singer and rapper, Jessica Ho, popularly known as Jessi, will also be making an appearance at the Borneo Sonic Music Festival.

Her singles ‘Nunu Nana’ and ‘Don’t Touch Me’ have topped music charts in South Korea and internationally.

This year’s Borneo Sonic Music Festival continues to feature a diverse line-up of performers, such as award-winning Indonesian singer, Judika, who has released seven albums with some earning multi-platinum, as well as serving as a judge on several Indonesian singing talent shows.

Other performers included Indonesian artist, Bunga Citra Lestara (BCL) whose hit songs included ‘Cinta Pertama’, ‘Ingar’ and ‘Menghapus Jejakmu’.

Malaysia’s much-loved girl group, DOLLA, will also be making a come-back at the festival due to popular demand and the group now consists of Sabronzo, Tabby and Angel, following the departure of one of their original members Syasya.

Additionally, the first Malaysian winner of the Chinese Million Star singing competition organised by Taiwan TV station, Jess Lee Jia Wei, Mandarin pop music singer Priscilla Abby, DJ Blink, DJ Slumberjack and Zheng Xue will be entertaining the crowd at the two-day festival.

A Borneo Sonic Food Carnival will also be organised at the Stadium Square in conjunction with the music festival, with about 50 food and drink vendors and 20 stalls offering arts and crafts items to be operating from 12pm to 12am from Oct 9 to 12.

Besides, a Borneo Sonic Music Festival camping ground will be set up at football field D (Padang D) to provide a unique glamping experience just 200 meters away from the stadium and the food carnival.

Lastly, the organiser will also be holding the Borneo Sonic Music Run on Oct 12 at 7am at the Sarawak Stadium, with 1,000 participants expected to take part in the three-kilometre run.

Ticket categories for the music extravaganza are divided into general admission, party zone, rock zone and VIP table (five pax) with the price starting from RM298. Early bird price is now open.

Tickets will go on sale at www.borneosonic.com starting tomorrow (Aug 1) at 12pm and the prices are not inclusive of booking charges and tax fees.

The festival is organised by BME International Sdn Bhd, managed by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, and Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are the official airline partners for the music festival.